Please help! My son came down with a fever and is being admitted for tests. He clearly has a UTI but is being checked for meningitis and other infections. His fever went up to 103 and he is very fussy. He has barely nursed today. He is now on IV fluids and antibiotics. I just pumped for 5 minutes and got 5 oz total. Should I keep pumping every 2 hours? I will nurse him whenever he is showing interest... Or awake. I know he will get better soon, but want to keep my supply. What do you suggest??
Thanks!

March 19th, 2012, 10:19 PM

@llli*scienceteachermommy

Re: 3week old in hosp. Not nursing!

That is a great pumping output. As little as your guy is, I think pumping often (every two to three hours) if he isn't nursing is important. But get him to the breast as much as possible.

March 19th, 2012, 11:12 PM

@llli*lovemygirlso1

Re: 3week old in hosp. Not nursing!

Agree. Pump every 2 hours but always offer the breast first. Sometimes (if its possible) walking around while getting him to latch can help. Or getting him to latch while he is very sleepy or "dream" nurse him in his sleep. 5 ounces is a very good amount for him being 2 weeks old so that's good! Our thoughts and prayers are with your little guy. Good luck!

March 20th, 2012, 08:07 AM

@llli*aprilsmagic

Re: 3week old in hosp. Not nursing!

Offer, pump and hang in there:hug

Plan to pump every 2-3 hours unless he nurses well. 5 oz in 5 minutes is bordering on OS, so watch that, but it's better to go OS than US, as you can fix the OS with time. US is a lot of work.

March 20th, 2012, 11:45 AM

@llli*mommal

Re: 3week old in hosp. Not nursing!

Great advice from the PPs, mama. I just want to say "Hang in there!". I hope your LO is feeling better really soon.

March 20th, 2012, 12:22 PM

@llli*mammaknits

Re: 3week old in hosp. Not nursing!

thanks, everyone. i pumped twice and he has nursed7 times since midnight. he only nursss for 5-8 min on one side only, though. he was nursing 10-20 min/feed on one side only. should i pump more? i only pumped when i felt painfully full. he is spacung his feedings about 1 1/2 hrs apart. we are here for a week. any thoughts? i am so thankful for this forum!

March 20th, 2012, 12:40 PM

@llli*aprilsmagic

Re: 3week old in hosp. Not nursing!

Hmm. I think I would pump a bit more. Yes, he is probably filling himself on one side, but he's sick. If you can. Hoepfully they brought you a pump for his room and you don't have to go down the hall to pump.

Scary :hug

March 20th, 2012, 06:46 PM

@llli*lovemygirlso1

Re: 3week old in hosp. Not nursing!

I wouldn't wait to pump until you are feeling painfully full because that is signaling to your body to produce less. If he is skipping a nursing then pump. Both my daughters only ever ate from one side and took 5 minutes, 10 during the night. I do have OS. You sound like you might so watch for that a bit. Follow your instincts. :) I'm glad he nursed quite a bit!

March 20th, 2012, 07:06 PM

@llli*mommal

Re: 3week old in hosp. Not nursing!

:ita I think it makes sense to err on the side of caution and use the pump... If you end up with more milk than you need that's not the worst thing that can happen, and you can take care of that issue when baby is all better.

March 20th, 2012, 08:27 PM

@llli*mammaknits

Re: 3week old in hosp. Not nursing!

I just broke down crying... He nursed every hour on the hour for 5 minutes. I switched sides hourly. He was very fussy at the breast and off. He is sick, though! I just pumped for 5 min and got a total of 2.5 oz. I think I will continue to nurse him on demand and pump every 2-3 hours. Is pumping for 5 min enough? I so appreciate your input... It's amazing how little these incredible docs and nurses know about breastfeeding. I know we are in a great hospital, but man!! Clueless about BF!